Need a planning consultant in Shropshire?

Planning Consultancy in Shropshire

Development is focused on this rural county’s major towns such as Shrewsbury and Oswestry where there are plans for more housing, employment areas and improved infrastructure schemes. Growth must be balanced with the careful preservation of Shropshire’s many beautiful Natural Landscapes including The Shropshire Hills, The Carding Mill Valley, the Long Mynd, and the Stiperstones Nature Reserve.

A complex development scheme may benefit from the professional advice of planning consultants: often their specialist knowledge of the town planning process can clarify the best way to proceed with a planning application. After describing the reasons for using planning consultancy services, this article looks at some stunning schemes handled by five planning consultancies in Shropshire.

Why use planning consultants?

The key reason is that a planning consultant will bring expert knowledge of the planning process which may prove invaluable to your scheme. Planning consultants will be familiar with relevant planning policies on development and should have a good working relationship with planning officers.

Planning consultants can work for private clients and the public sector, and provide a wide range of planning services, including site appraisals, feasibility studies, planning applications, negotiations with the relevant local authority, listed building expertise, Green Belt applications and planning appeals. Some firms will offer specialist advice to, for example, self builders or for agricultural diversification schemes.

A planning consultant’s ability to clarify the best route to take with a complicated planning application may well result in cost savings. A firm that offers a broad range of planning services will mean that you get professional advice on any issues that arise with your planning application. If you are seeking Shropshire planning permission, the consultancies mentioned below advise clients in the county, into the West Midlands, mid Wales, Market Drayton and further afield.

Shropshire’s planning and development strategy

The focus is on delivering housing, employment opportunities, and improved infrastructure in a sustainable way. Preserving the county’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, such as the Shropshire Hills, is a priority, along with managing the impacts of development on biodiversity.

Shropshire’s current local plan has faced criticism and delays, leaving it in a state of uncertainty. A new development plan is expected to be ready in the coming years, though no firm timeline has been set.

From 2025, areas such as Shrewsbury and Oswestry are earmarked for significant housebuilding and mixed-use developments, focusing on residential, commercial, and community spaces. Two major schemes include the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan, which envisions transforming the town centre into a hub of sustainable living and business, and the Ironbridge Power Station redevelopment, set to create a vibrant community with homes and green spaces.

Beautiful Schemes by Planning Consultancies in Shropshire

Green Planning Studio

Based near Shrewsbury, Green Planning specialises in obtaining planning permission in constrained areas such as Green Belt, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks. Its approach is to take national policy together with planning case law to identify opportunities for clients facing challenging cases at application and appeal.

This eco house was designed as a near Passivhaus and near net zero carbon building. With a timber frame construction and high insulation levels, the house uses renewable energy sources and efficient appliances. Situated in a village conservation area close to several listed structures, the site had been a sand pit, and the ground required piling. The planning application was accompanied by a heritage statement that assessed the impact of the replacement building on the setting of the listed buildings.

The Planning Group

Since 2009, The Planning Group has handled planning applications, appeals, inquiries, commercial developments and has listed building and conservation area expertise. The firm also acts as development consultants and land promotors, advising on land acquisition, permitted development rights, leases and legal agreements.

The Planning Group was engaged to obtain planning consent for this exceptional architectural design and advised that the best route was via a National Planning Policy Framework Paragraph 84(e) application as the land was classed as open countryside. Working with architects Ewan Dryburgh, an application for two dwellings covered 0.433 hectares and the rest of the 7.92-hectare site was used to meet the minimum 10% biodiversity net gain requirements. Planning committee members found that the proposal was an excellent example of a Paragraph 84(e) development.

Justin Shirra Architect & Planning Consultant

Offering planning and architectural advice services in the Shropshire area, Justin Shirra has 21 years’ experience and can deal with house extensions or new builds, domestic and commercial projects, and specialises in planning applications for listed buildings and barn conversions.

Hamco Developments

This planning, building design and architectural consultancy handles all aspects of the planning process. Its work includes contemporary, traditional and bespoke extensions, modern and traditional new builds, developments sites and commercial projects.

Hamco Developments created this bespoke design for clients who wanted to maximise views from the property. The sustainable design uses Passivhaus principles.

Mid West Planning

Dealing with all planning permission and design matters, Mid West Planning offers a bespoke building design service for farming and rural activities as well as residential, commercial and housing schemes. The team can help identify opportunities to add to or maintain asset values or enhance a business.

Mid West Planning collaborated on work at grade II* listed Pegs Farm, obtaining planning permission for use as holiday accommodation and preserving its architectural value.

Find a planning consultant in Shropshire

The first step is to identify firms that work on schemes like yours. They should be able to demonstrate a good track record of success with planning applications and be used to working with the relevant local planning authority. Identify two or three consultancies and arrange a meeting; most will offer a no obligation consultation. Discuss your planning and development scheme and ask to see examples of their recent projects to see if they are in tune with your aims.

Engaging planning consultants will not mean a problem-free journey through the planning system, but their specialist advice might give your scheme its best chance of success.